Betty Hawkins Peden

Betty Hawkins Peden, born May 5, 1928 died on March 4, 2016 after a long and courageous battle in her fight against Alzheimer's.

Betty was devoted to her family and friends. Along with her husband, Walter Samuel Peden, they established Peden Contractors in 1957. She served as Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and was a construction executive who earned the respect of her male peers as a tough and determined competitor. Betty was a pioneer woman owner-executive in the construction industry. Peden Contractors worked in Grading, Utilities, Highway, and Industrial site work throughout the southeast. Projects like Haywood Mall, Wando Terminal, Celanese Fibers, General Electric, and Interstate Highways bear the Peden trademark. She was active in construction industry associations and a long time member of White Oak Baptist Church.

Her beloved husband, Sam, died in March 2011 and she was the last surviving member of her Hawkins family. She was predeceased by her parents, Dexter and Susan; sisters, Ruth, Bell, Lucille, Ethel, Mary, Bernice, and Evelyn; and brother, Hubert.

Betty is survived by her sons, Sam Peden, Jr. (Debby) and Harold (Diane); grandchildren, Chip, Michelle, Nathan, and Benjamin; and many nephews and nieces.

In the final years of her life, Betty received compassionate care from the staff at The Cascades and the attentive love of her niece Donna Cisson who saw to it that Betty lived in her failing health with the dignity and respect that she earned in her lifetime.

A service to celebrate Betty's life will be held at 11am Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in the Remembrance Chapel Mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to White Oak Baptist Church-Greenville in her memory.

The Mackey Mortuary.